PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Monfrecola

Publications and source records attributed to G Monfrecola.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A case of chronic actinic dermatitis treated with topical tacrolimus.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), a sun-induced disorder characterized by a persistent eczematous eruption, involves photoprotective measures, topical corticosteroid therapy and, in more severe cases, systemic immunosuppression. The potential side effects of systemic immunosuppressant drugs prompted us to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus for treatment of CAD. PATIENT AND TREATMENT: A 58-year-old man with CAD, resistant to previous treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroids, oral cyclosporine and PUVA-photochemotherapy, was treated with tacrolimus ointment 0.1% once a day. RESULTS: Tacrolimus ointment led to significant improvement of pruritus and severe eczematous skin lesions after 20 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus shows a beneficial effect on CAD; this could be attributed to the fact that CAD is characterized by a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate producing a chronic eczema and that tacrolimus blocks the activation of lymphocytes and other immune system cells, also inhibiting the release of mediators from cutaneous mast cells and basophils.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2003

The epidemiology of atopic dermatitis in Italian schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is common in children in industrialized countries. Only one large population study on its prevalence has been conducted in Italy, based on self-report questionnaire. The present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of AD in schoolchildren in Italy by dermatologists' assessment and by UK Working Party criteria, and to investigate associated symptoms and factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey on a random sample of 9-year-old schoolchildren from seven Italian cities. Children were examined by experienced dermatologists. Parents and teachers answered standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the 1369 children examined, 88 had a diagnosis of AD, with an estimated point prevalence of 5.8% (95% CI 4.5-7.1) in the reference population. The reported lifetime prevalence was 15.2 (95% CI 12.2-18.2) for AD, 11.9% (95% CI 9.0-14.8) for asthma, and 17.6% (95% CI 14.6-20.7) for rhino-conjunctivitis. The strongest associated factor was the presence of AD in at least one parent. No association of AD with maternal smoking during pregnancy, birth weight, maternal age at the time of the child birth and breast-feeding was observed. The environmental characteristics of the house and the school did not correlate with the prevalence of AD. Episodes of lower respiratory tract infections were associated with asthma, and to a lower extent also with AD and rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed AD in Italian schoolchildren is comparable to those reported for other developed countries. Family history of atopy was the single most important associated factor, while the complex interplay of environmental factors remains to be elucidated.

Asthma↗
PubMed2003

In vitro effects of ultraviolet A on histamine release from human basophils.

BACKGROUND: As long-wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates the dermis, connective tissue cellular components and circulating blood cells can be possible targets for solar UVA. Basophils, involved in the effector phase of the inflammatory response, play a part in skin diseases such as chronic urticaria, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria pigmentosa, systemic sclerosis and bullous pemphigoid. OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of the in vitro effect of UVA on histamine release from human basophils. METHODS: Basophils from healthy human volunteers were irradiated, respectively, with UVA at doses of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20 and 50 J/cm2 and then incubated with an anti-IgE serum. A fluorimetric technique was employed to determine histamine release from samples: (i) incubated with 2% HClO4 (complete lysis of basophils); (ii) irradiated with increasing doses of UVA; and (iii) unirradiated (controls). RESULTS: Histamine release was: 100% for HClO4 incubated basophils, 30% for unirradiated and anti-IgE incubated cells (controls) and 27%, 24%, 34%, 41%, 60% and 70% for basophils irradiated with UVA doses, respectively, of 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 20 and 50 J/cm2 and incubated with anti-IgE. Histamine releasability from irradiated samples was statistically significant (P < 0.05), in comparison with controls, at UVA doses equal to 5, 10, 20 and 50 J/cm2. CONCLUSIONS: UVA exerts, at least in vitro, a biphasic dose-dependent action on histamine release from human basophils incubated with an anti-IgE serum: at the lowest irradiation doses (< 5 J/cm2) it exerts an inhibitory effect and at the highest doses (> or = 10 J/cm2) histamine release increases significantly.

Basophils↗
PubMed2003

Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations, emitted by a cellular phone, modify cutaneous blood flow.

BACKGROUND: Our surroundings are full of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of different frequency and power. The non-ionizing EMRs emitted by television, computer and cellular phone (CF) sets have been increasing over the past few years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the effects of non-ionizing EMRs (frequency 3 x 10(8) to 3 x 10(11) Hz), emitted by CFs, on cutaneous blood flow in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Thirty healthy volunteers (14 male and 16 female; age: 18-53 years) entered the study. Measurements of cutaneous blood flow were taken under standard conditions (temperature and humidity), using a laser Doppler He-Ne flowmeter that was applied to the ear skin by an optical fibre probe. Microflow values were recorded without CF contact with the skin (T0), with the CF turned off but in contact with the ear skin (T1), with CF contact and turned on (T2), with CF contact, turned on and receiving (T3). The microflow values were also recorded backwards: with CF contact and set turned on (T4), with CF contact and turned off (T5), without CF contact (T6). RESULTS: The mean value of basal microflow (T0), expressed as perfusion units (PU), was 51.26+/-11.93 PU. During the T1 phase, the microflow increase was 61.38%; in T2 it was 131.74%, in T3 157.67%, in T4 139.21% and in T5 122.90%; in T6, the microflow value was 57.58+/-10 PU (similar to the basal microflow). Statistically significant cutaneous microflow values (p<0.050) were observed comparing the T1 to T5 values with basal microflow (T0). Furthermore, in comparison with T1 values (CF turned off in contact with the ear skin), the T2, T3 and T4 data were statistically significant (T2 vs. T1: t=7.763 with p<0.050; T3 vs. T1: t=9.834 with p<0.050; T4 vs. T1: t=8.885 with p<0.050).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Photodynamic therapy with topical delta-aminolaevulinic acid for the treatment of plantar warts.

Treatments currently employed for plantar warts are often painful (electrosurgery, cryotherapy) and not always effective (keratolytic agents). In this paper we investigate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) on plantar warts. In order to remove the superficial hyperkeratotic layer of the warts an ointment containing 10% urea and 10% salicylic acid was applied for 7 days. After gentle curettage, a cream containing 20% ALA was applied under an occlusive dressing for 5 h on 64 warts, while 57 warts (controls) received only the vehicle. Both the ALA-treated warts and the controls were irradiated using a visible light lamp (with a range of 400-700 nm, peaking at 630 nm). The light dose was 50 J/cm(2). Patients were followed-up for 22 months. Two months after the last irradiation session 48 (75.0%) out of 64 ALA-PDT treated warts had resolved. By contrast only 13 (22.8%) of the 57 control warts had done so. During the treatment a few patients complained of a mild burning sensation. The absorption of ALA by the verrucous tissue was demonstrated by in vivo fluorescence spectroscopy. This study shows that topical ALA-PDT can be an alternative treatment for plantar warts. Further studies will be necessary in order to optimize the concentration of ALA and duration of treatment.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2001

The effects of a diode laser (810 nm) on pigmented guinea-pig skin.

Various types of lasers, such as the Q-switched ruby laser and the Alexandrite laser, cause selective damage to cutaneous pigmented cells and are currently used in the therapy of pigmented lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a diode laser at a wavelength of 810 nm on pigmented guinea-pig skin. The diode laser was supplied by OcuLight Iris Medical Instruments, Inc. and was used to deliver 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 J/cm2 laser beams in micropulses of 100 micros. The study was carried out on albino and black-spotted guinea pigs (GP). After irradiation, punch biopsies were taken and analysed by light and electron microscopy. Albino animals developed just a few signs of cutaneous injury. This mostly consisted of spongiotic disarray, after the highest doses were administered (>1 J/cm2). In the black skin of spotted GPs alterations appeared at 0.15 J/cm2 and included melanosome damage and, at doses higher than 0.3 J/cm2, also melanocyte damage. These observations demonstrate that the diode laser at 810 nm selectively affects pigmented structures and that the cellular targets of diode laser radiation are the melanosomes. The diode laser specificity for melanin may provide a biological basis for the treatment of pigmented superficial cutaneous lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Epiluminescence microscopy for port-wine stains: pretreatment evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Port-wine stains (PWSs) are characterized by an increased number of ectatic vessels. The treatment of choice is the use of some lasers such as pulsed dye lasers. However, some lesions are nonresponsive to laser treatment. Perhaps the vessels' depth and diameter and the thickness of the vessel wall are important factors influencing the effectiveness of the laser treatment. METHODS: To investigate whether epiluminescence microscopy (ELM) could be useful in determining the effectiveness of laser treatment of PWSs, we studied a group of patients with PWSs using both ELM and histological analysis. RESULTS: A correlation existed between a gray-whitish veil seen by ELM and the vessel depth judged by histology: when the veil was absent, the vessels were always found to be located only in the upper third of the dermis. CONCLUSION: We think that the gray-whitish veil is a distinctive dermoscopic feature that is able to differentiate between superficial vessels (absence of veil) and deeper vessels (presence of veil).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

What do young people think about the dangers of sunbathing, skin cancer and sunbeds? A questionnaire survey among Italians.

Previous experience in Australia and Sweden showed that public education programs produced substantial changes in people's opinions, attitudes and perceptions about melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, sunlight, sunbeds and suntanning. In order to organize effective prevention campaigns, more must be known about the sunbathing habits of children and adolescents. The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge that young people in a southern European country have about sun exposure. A total of 764 young people ranging from 16 to 22 years old (mean age: 19.3+/-1.2 years) responded to a questionnaire. Our study indicates that young people are very aware of the risks associated with sunbathing but that they continue to expose themselves without taking precautions. This suggests that: a) the majority of young Italians are reasonably well-informed but they do not take preventative measures; b) one effective measure could be promotion of the idea that an untanned body is more esthetically pleasing than a tanned one; c) a crucial point in the programming of future safety measures in suntan centers involves rigorous and regular controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Microanalysis of melanins in mammalian hair by alkaline hydrogen peroxide degradation: identification of a new structural marker of pheomelanins.

A highly sensitive, easy-to-perform method for melanin analysis in pigmented tissues based on alkaline hydrogen peroxide degradation has been developed and accomplishes simultaneous determination of eumelanins and pheomelanins. Pyrrole-2,3,5- tricarboxylic acid, the typical eumelanin marker, was obtained in higher yields than in previous procedures. A benzothiazole acid, 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-2-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzothiazole, characterized in our previous studies as a specific marker of pheomelanins, and the newly identified 1,3-thiazole-2,4, 5-tricarboxylic acid were also used for pigment analysis. Optimal yields of the pigment markers were obtained at 24 h reaction time. Pyrrole-2,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-2-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzothiazole, and 1, 3-thiazole-2,4,5- tricarboxylic acid were quantified in a single chromatographic analysis without fractionation or work up of the degradation mixture. The linearity (linearity coefficient from 0.997 to 0.999) was excellent and the inter-assay (percentage coefficient of variation values in the range 0.2-2, n = 6) and intra-assay (percentage coefficient of variation values </= 0.4) reproducibility of the method was very satisfactory. A variety of mammalian hairs including coat color mutant mice and human hairs were used to evaluate the method. All the phenotypically pheomelanic hairs gave 1, 3-thiazole-2,4,5-tricarboxylic acid in variable yields, whereas 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-2-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzothiazole was obtained only from some of the red hair samples examined. Notably, a marked tendency to actinic damage, as evidenced by determination of the minimal erythema dose, was exhibited by those subjects whose hair afforded the highest 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-2-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzothiazole yields. This suggests that 6-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-2-carboxy-4-hydroxybenzothiazole represents a new biogenetic marker for predicting individuals at high risk for skin cancer and melanoma.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Solar urticaria: a report on 57 cases.

BACKGROUND: Solar urticaria (SU) represents an uncommon skin disorder, characterized by pruritic erythema and wheals after sun exposure, that sometimes restricts normal daily life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate data concerning sex, age, natural history, associated diseases, and eliciting wavebands of 57 SU cases. METHODS: Questionnaire for anamnestic data, laboratory examinations, phototesting. RESULTS: Sex: 25 (44%) males, 32 (56%) females. Age: The peak age was between 20 and 30 years. Skin type (ST): 12 (21%) ST II, 39 (68%) ST III, and 6 (11%) ST IV. Time between onset and complete disappearance of SU was from 2 to more than 6 years; the main peak (37 patients) between 4 and 6 years. There were histories of atopic dermatitis 12 (21%) and asthma or rhinitis 15 (26%). Association with other urticarias (U): 13 (21%) dermographic U, 2 food U, 3 heat U. Increased immunoglobin E (IgE): 19 (33%). Eliciting wavebands: 38 (67%) visible light (VIS), 16 (28%) long ultraviolet (UVA), 3 natural sunlight. Minimal urticarial dose (MUD): 20-37.5 J/cm2 for VIS-sensitive patients, 5-10 J/cm2 for UVA. CONCLUSIONS: In our series: 1. SU affects both sexes usually when they are under 30 years of age; 2. nearly half the patients are free of disease within 5 years; 3. in about one fourth of cases SU is associated with dermographic urticaria or displays a history of atopic dermatitis; 4. the wheals are elicited mainly by VIS or UVA; 5. SU can be prevented, at least in part, by antihistamines or by PUVA therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Phaeomelanin versus eumelanin as a chemical indicator of ultraviolet sensitivity in fair-skinned subjects at high risk for melanoma: a pilot study.

It is now generally agreed that solar exposure is a major external factor in the causation of cutaneous melanoma in light skinned populations with red hair and a marked susceptibility to the acute effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the present study, we investigated the existence of a possible relationship between hair melanin composition and minimal erythema dose (MED), as an indicator of UV sensitivity, in a group of 15 healthy red-haired subjects aged 20-46 years. In spite of comparable skin and hair colour, marked variations were observed in the MED values as well as in the hair melanin composition. Phaeomelanin levels varied in the range 0.026-0.53% w/w and were generally comparable to or higher than eumelanin levels (0.042-0.17% w/w). No significant relationship was found between MED values and phaeomelanin, eumelanin or total melanin (eumelanin plus phaeomelanin) content. Notably, however, a gross positive correlation was found between the eumelanin/phaeomelanin ratio and the MED values. These results would suggest that a high UV sensitivity is associated with high phaeomelanin and low eumelanin levels, and point to the eumelanin/phaeomelanin ratio as a novel chemical parameter that could be used for predicting individuals at high risk for skin cancer and melanoma.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The acute effect of smoking on cutaneous microcirculation blood flow in habitual smokers and nonsmokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is known to be a primary cause of chronic harmful effects on the vascular system. It also induces some acute effects on the coronary circulation and on the ophthalmic artery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the effect of smoking a single cigarette on cutaneous blood flow in habitual smokers as well as in nonsmokers. METHODS: A laser Doppler flowmeter was used to perform measurements of cutaneous microcirculation. Flowmetric data were recorded (i) before smoking, (ii) inhaling from an unlighted cigarette, (iii) during cigarette smoking, (iv) 2 and (v) 5 min after smoking. RESULTS: We could show that smoking a single cigarette acts on the cutaneous microcirculation reducing blood flow in both groups of subjects (38.1% reduction in smokers and 28.1% reduction in nonsmokers; p <0.01). Interestingly, the recovery phase is faster in nonsmoker subjects than in smoker ones; in fact, the recovery is complete 2 and 5 min after cigarette smoking in nonsmokers and in smokers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Smoking a single cigarette decreases the cutaneous blood flow in habitual smoker as well as in nonsmoker subjects. Moreover, the slower recovery phase of smokers suggests that their microcirculation become inured to smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Thirty hours' evaluation of UVB-induced erythema by chromometry and microflowmetry.

BACKGROUND: Individual UVB photosensitivity is usually investigated by determining the minimal erythemal dose (MED). Nevertheless, factors such as room light intensity and subjective experience of the observer can influence the erythema perception and, therefore, the MED assessment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the clinical and the chromometric and microflowmetric analyses of the UVB-induced erythema in 2 healthy volunteers. METHODS: A bank of 6 fluorescent mercury vapor tubes (Philips TL 12/20 W) was utilized as a source of UVB light. Three skin areas (4 cm2), from the dorsal region of each subject, were irradiated with 3 different UVB doses corresponding to: (1) MED; (2) 0.7 MED, and (3) 1.3 MED. RESULTS: (1) both microflowmetric and chromometric parameters reached a maximum peak 10-12 h after irradiation and maintained high values also 30 h after irradiation; (2) both microflowmetric and chromometric values were directly related to the UVB doses; (3) in some cases the microflowmetric values started to increase when the chromatic changes were still undetectable. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data confirm that the visual determination of MED performed 24 h after irradiation is a correct procedure. Nevertheless, the microflowmetric may precede the chromatic changes suggesting that vasodilatation follows irradiation without a latent period.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

In vitro photoinhibition by psoralen and ultraviolet A radiation of human hematopoietic progenitors.

The in vitro sensitivity of human hematopoietic progenitors to PUVA, 8-MOP and UVA alone was investigated. 8-MOP alone at final concentrations of 150, 200, 600 and 1,000 ng/ml did not modify colony growth of circulating and bone marrow erythroid (BFU-E), myeloid (CFU-GM) and immature (CFU-GEMM) hematopoietic progenitors obtained from normal controls. The exposure of the same progenitors to increasing doses of UVA, up to 12 J/cm2, progressively decreased hematopoietic colony growth (with estimated 50% inhibition occurring at about 5 J/cm2). In vitro PUVA treatment (8-MOP 200 ng/ml followed by UVA 5 J/cm2) caused 90% growth inhibition of circulating and bone marrow hematopoietic progenitors. In addition, the treatment completely inhibited the formation of spontaneous erythroid colonies, obtained from 5 polycythemic patients, that are considered to be a marker of this neoplastic disease. PUVA cytotoxicity was assessed by the colorimetric MTT assay. The percentage of cell death after PUVA exposure was 29 +/- 10% for both peripheral and bone marrow mononuclear cells. Our findings indicate that 8-MOP alone is not toxic to hematopoietic progenitors whereas UVA treatment determines in vitro a dose-dependent inhibition of the clonogenic capacity of normal hematopoietic cells. PUVA treatment enhances this effect, causing a quite complete inhibition of hematopoietic progenitors colony formation from normal donors and spontaneous BFU-E colony formation from polycythemic patients.

Cell Survival↗
PubMed1996

Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Dermatiti da Contatto ed Ambientali Italian Multicenter Study of Allergic Contact Photodermatitis: epidemiological aspects.

A total of 1,050 patients with histories and clinical pictures suggestive of photoallergic contact dermatitis were seen. All the patients underwent photopatch tests with haptens proposed by the Gruppo Italiano Ricerca Dermatiti da Contatto plus other substances suggested by each patient's history. Two hundred fifty-nine patients (24.6%) were positive to at least one test substance of the standard series or to substances added. Typical photoallergic reactions were seen in 198 subjects (259 minus 40 toxic photodermatitis to chlorpromazine and 21 to promethazine), which represents 18.8% of the total population. Topical drugs represent the most involved substances in photodermatitis. The incidence in our population was about equal for antimicrobial agents, additives to fragrances, and fragrances themselves. Other allergens found were salicylanilides, whereas sun-screening agents were the fifth group of haptens but with clear-cut relevance. This study is a first attempt to organize the data about results of photopatch tests applied to Italian patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A simple cryo-technique for the treatment of cutaneous soft fibromas.

OBJECTIVE: We propose a simple cryo-technique for the treatment of cutaneous soft fibromas. METHODS: This method, useful for fibromas larger than 4-5 mm in diameter, allows the freezing of the only soft fibroma without affecting the surrounding skin. RESULTS: The technique shows the following advantages: it is simple to perform, it avoids local anesthesia, and it can be used in pacemaker holders. CONCLUSION: The cosmetic results are very good.

Cryosurgery↗